RI, Portugal to increase two way investment

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Portugal agreed to increase two way investment between the two countries, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Tuesday.

"I believed we have comparative superiority that could complement each other," he said at a state dinner held in honor of visiting President Anibal Cavaco Silva of Portugal.

President Cavaco Silva and entourage arrived here on Tuesday afternoon.
This was the first visit by a Portuguese president since the two
countries opened diplomatic relations in 1950. Indonesia`s first president Soekarno visited Portugal in 1960.

On the occasion President Yudhoyono asked economic players in the two countries to build partnership and create new opportunities.

He hoped partnership could be built through business meetings involving economic players from both countries.

"I am also glad (to hear) that tomorrow you will also meet with the leadership of the House of Representatives. Through the meeting you could know further about the aspirations of the Indonesian people conveyed by our parliament members," he said.

In the social cultural field, President Yudhoyono said, the two countries also have potentials for cooperation as well as closeness.

"The closeness could be felt in various parts in Indonesia from Aceh in the West through Flores and Maluku in the East. Even in Jakarta, in the Tugu area, Portuguese descents are now living preserving the "keroncong" music which carries much influence from the Portuguese music," he said.

In Larantuka, Flores, meanwhile, President Yudhoyono said "every year ahead of the Easter Day the city is full with pilgrims who wish to celebrate `Semana Santa` or the Holy Week. Christians there conduct rituals using Portuguese language," he said.(*)